Picture-frame.



No. 696,935. Patented Apr. 8, I902.

F. A. BUECHNER.

PICTURE FRAME.

N (Applicatinn filed May'23, 190

Z 0 H 3 r. U. A d B n e t a P n O Dn w E m N 2 H Y an Fm E 0 En Bnnfi m mm .w l F m m 5 3 9 6 9 6 D N 2 Sheets Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES FRANK A. BUECI-INER, OF BATTLECREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB. TO THE BUECHNER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF BATTLECREEK, MICHIGAN.

PICTURE-FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,935, dated April 8, 1902.

Application filed May 23, 1901.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK A. BUECHNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Battlecreek, in the county of Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Picture- Frames, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in picture-frames, and particularly to the cor.- struction of the same from sheet metal.

The objects of the invention are, first, to provide a picture-frame of sheet metal which has all the ornamental effects of one constructed of wood 5 second, to provide a picture-frame of sheet metal which is very light and at the same time very rigid and one that is easy and cheap to manufacture; third, to provide a frame of sheet metal constructed of comparatively narrow strips of metal which shall have when finished the appearance of one made of a heavy molding and at the same time be very light and rigid; fourth, to provide improved means of uniting the various pieces or parts of the structure so that the uniting means are invisible on the face of the finished product. 7 I

Further objects will definitely appear in the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described inthis specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings,forming a part of this specification, in which v Figure 1 is a detail front perspective view of a corner of my improved sheet-metal frame, showing the same built up to represent a heavy molding. Fig. 2 is a detail rear perspective View of the section shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a corner of myimproved frame when constructed of a single strip of metal. Fig. 4: is a detail perspective rear View of the section shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail front perspective View of a section of my improved frame constructed from a single strip of metal with an ornamental roll or beading on the outer edge Serial No. SL538. (No model.)

of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail longitudinal section of the ornamental roll or beading, showing the construction.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of a modification of the manner of unitin g the sections when united to form the wide or deep molding In the drawings similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawings, A B are the sections or strips of sheet metal of which the frame is constructed.

D is an ornamental beading on the edge of the outer section.

C is afacing or border secured to the inner section.

E and F are corner-plates for securing together, and reinforcing the respective strips or sections of sheet metal. The manner in which this is done will be hereinafter described.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the simplest form of construction is shown. The sides and end pieces being alike, a description of a single piece will be sufficient.

A is a strip of sheet metal. The edge designed for the inside of the frame is rolled inwardly and thendownwardly to form a flange A, while the outer edges are turned backwardly and slightly inwardly at A". The flange A is perforated at intervals, as at f, to receive the tacks, brads, or pins for retaining the backing of the picture-frame, or a tongue of metal I may be used for that purpose. I provide a plate or piece of sheet metal for each corner, and after placing a piece of sheet-tin or other suitable material between the sections A and the plate E it is subjected to a blast of heat, and the parts will be firmly united or sweated together, as it is called. This holds the parts securely in position and unites them in a very rigid manner. The plate E acts as a brace and without the use of rivets, and therefore presents a very neat appearance. The heat is not sufficient to oxidize or destroy the finished surface, and the joint is smooth. When it is desired to ornament the corners of the frame, a hole g is punched through the corners, and a suitable ornament, as Gr, is placed in position over the hole, and a drop of solder therein from the structure out ofa single piece.

rear retains the ornament in position without injury, as before. The entire frame is thus constructed without the use of rivets, which are of course objectionable, as they mar the appearance of the frame.

The beading D is formed of a roll of sheet I metal, the edges of which are left apart sufretained by drops of solder, as a a.

Facing or border strips 0 are secured to the inner section of the frame, asillustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, to give the samea superior finish, and drops of solder, as at e e, serve to retain these strips in position. These facingstrips form a rest for the picture or the matting thereof. They are very effective from an ornamental point, though the frame is quite a success with this part omitted.

When the frame is built up to imitate a heavy molding, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the various sections, such as A B, are substantially identical, and the above description applies. These sections A B are secured together by solder at suitable intervals, as at b, or a flange B may be turned on the section B and the two parts riveted together, as shown in Fig. 7. The particular folding so that the retaining means for the joint is entirely concealed is the important feature. A corner-piece F, suitably conformed for the sections B, serves the same purpose as the plate E for the sec tion A, in the same way, and is in effect the same thing. It will be noted that the sec-v tions A and B may be arranged as desired in relation to each other and at any angle to produce agiven effect. It is also apparent that any number of strips of sheet metal may be used. A frame constructed in this manner can be made of comparatively narrow strips of sheet. metal, which are easily conformed by comparatively simple and light machinery and secure effects which it is impossible to secure by stamping or making the The completed article does not show the manner of uniting the parts, which of course is very desirable.

I have described my invention quite in detail; but it is apparent that it is capable of considerable variation without departing from my invention.

It is apparent that my improved frame may be ornamented as desired, as by enameling, bronzing, &c., or it may be constructed of various kinds of metal, whereby any effect desired may be secured.

It is desired to remark that the frames made up in this manner are readily made to assume any form possible from awood molding withmethod of forming the corners is also of verygreat advantage, and the turning of the flange and perforating the same for holding the picture-frame back is also of very great advantage.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a picture-frame, the combination of strips or sections of sheet metal A, with outwardly and rearwardly turned flanges A on their inner edges suitably perforated at intervals, their ends being suitably mitered to form corners; corner-plates E of sheet metal; and a suitable solder between said sections and said corner-plates, as specified.

2. In a picture-frame, the combination of I strips or sections of sheet metal A, with outwardly and rearwardly turned flanges A on their inner edges, their ends being suitably mitered to form corners; corner-plates E of sheet metal; and a, suitable solder between said sections and said corner-plates, as specified.

3. In a picture-frame, the combination of strips or sections of sheet metal with outwardly and rearwardly turned flanges on their inner edges suitably perforated at intervals their ends being suitably mitered to form corners; corner-plates E of sheet metal; suitable solder between said section and said corner-plates; and rolls of sheet metal D having corner-sections D sleeved upon the same, slotted to embrace the outer sections A and secured thereon, as specified.

4:. In a picture-frame, the combination of strips or sections of sheet metal with outwardly and rearwardly turned flanges on their inner edges, their ends being suitably mitered to form corners; corner plates E of sheet metal; suitable solder between said sections and said corner-plates; and rolls of sheet metal D having corner-sections D sleeved upon the same, slotted to embrace the outer edges of the sections A and secured thereon, as specified. v

5. In a picture-frame, the combination of strips or sections of sheet metal with outwardly and rearwardly turned flanges on their inner edges suitably perforated at intervals, their ends being suitably mitered to form corners; corner-plates E of sheet metal; suitable solder between said sections and said plates; rolls of sheet metal D having cornersections D sleeved upon the same, slotted to embrace the outer edges of the sections A and secured thereon; and strips of metal 0 soldered in position against the outwardlyturned portion of the said flanges of said sections, for the purpose specified.

6. In a picture frame, the combination of strips or sections of sheet metal with out-. wardly and rearwardly turned flanges on their IIC inner edges, their ends being suitably mitered to form corners; corner-plates E of sheet metal; suitable solder between said sections and said plates; rolls of sheet metal D hav ing corner-sections D sleeved upon the same, slotted to embrace the outer edges of the sections A and secured thereon, and strips of metal soldered in position against the outwardly-turned portion of the said flanges of said sections, for .the purpose specified.

7. In a picture-frame, the combination of two or more rectangular frames of sheet metal with outwardly and rearwardly turned flanges on their inner edges, thesaid frames being graded in size so that the outer edge of the one will fit Within the said flanges on the inner edge of the other; and means of securing the said frame in such position, for the purpose specified.

, said frames in such position; perforations in the flanges of the inner frame; and strips of sheet metal 0 secured in position against the outwardly-turned portion of said flanges, for the purpose specified.

9. In a picture-frame, the combination of two or more rectangular frames of sheet metal with outwardly and rearwardly turned flanges on their inner edges, the said frames being graded in size so that the outer edge of the one will fit within the said flanges on the inner edge of the other; means of securing the said frames in such position; perforations in the flanges of the inner frame; for the purpose specified.

10.- In a picture-frame, the combination of two or more rectangular frames of sheet metal with outwardly and rearwardly turned flanges on their inner edges, the said frames being graded in size so that the outer edge of one will fit within the said flanges on the inner edge of another; means of securing the said frames in such position; perforations in the said flanges of the inner frame; and a roll of sheet metal slotted to embrace the outer edge of the outer frame and secured thereon for the purpose specified.

? 11. A picture-frame made up of strips of sheet metal suitably joined together, the inner'edges of which are turned outwardly and rearwardly to form a flange to receive the back of the picture-frame or picture-back, as specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 66 Witnesses:

A. E. I-IoUeHroN, OTIS A. EARL. 

